Two Developments in UK Gambling Designed to Protect Players

Published Date November 28, 2024

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has announced two measures to improve player protection designed to reduce the risks of gambling addiction while ensuring that more operators contribute to helping people affected. The changes involve new stake limits and a statutory levy. Let’s read more about it.

1. New Stake Limits

While full details have yet to be outlined, based on the Gambling Review’s White Paper, the DCMS confirmed online slot stake limits of £5 for those aged over 25, and £2 for young adults between 18-24. The hope is that by lowering the amount that can be staked, players will be less likely to lose large sums of money quickly and repeatedly.

2. The Statutory RET Levy

What is the new Remote Gambling Operator (RET) Levy? It’s a compulsory financial contribution gambling companies must make to help fund services associated with gambling addiction. The aim is to raise £100 million a year to improve treatment provisions and ensure that gambling operators who profit from player activity, contribute to the cost of gambling-related problems.

This is how the RET funds will be allocated:

50% to NHS and Equivalent Services Across the UK

Covering services such as treatment referrals, triage, rehabilitation programs, and long-term aftercare for those affected by addiction.

30% for Prevention Initiatives

Supporting public awareness campaigns and providing training for key workers to help identify and manage gambling-related problems before they escalate.

20% for Gambling Research

Funding research via UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). This will help develop a deeper understanding of gambling behaviours and inform future regulations.

Minister for Health Andrew Gwynne supports the levy and says: “Tackling gambling harm is a crucial part of our commitment to support people to live longer, healthier lives.

This levy will provide an important funding boost for the NHS, whilst also enabling independent research and more effective prevention initiatives. By making NHS England responsible for all treatment and support services for those experiencing gambling-related harms in England, we will ensure people are getting the most effective care possible”.

Though in support of the RET Levy, the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) gave a little pushback. Grainne Hurst, BGC CEO said: “BGC members voluntarily contributed over £170m over the last four years to tackle problem gambling and gambling related harm, including £50m this year alone, funding an independent network of charities currently caring for 85 per cent of all problem gamblers receiving treatment in Britain.

“Ministers must not lose sight of the fact that the vast majority of the 22.5m people who enjoy a bet each month, on the lottery, in bookmakers, casinos, bingo halls and online, do so safely, while the most recent NHS Health Survey for England estimated that just 0.4 per cent of the adult population are problem gamblers”.

What Does All This Mean for the Gambling Industry and Players?

The UK government is scrutinising the gambling industry more, ensuring that it operates more responsibly and complies with new regulations. For players, these changes show that their well-being is being considered.

DCMS Gambling Minister Baroness Twycross said: “The introduction of the first legally mandated levy will be instrumental in supporting research, raising awareness, and reducing the stigma around gambling-related harm.

We are also helping to protect those at risk, with a particular focus on young adults, by introducing stake limits for online slots.

These measures will help build an NHS fit for our future and strengthen protections, whilst also allowing people to continue to gamble safely”.

A Final Thought

We welcome initiatives that protect players and the changes aimed at creating a safer gambling environment.

The introduction of the statutory RET Levy ensures that gambling operators contribute to the funding of essential support services.

The changes are expected to roll out soon, we’ll keep you updated on developments. Here’s to a new era of safer gambling.

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